Most Car Accidents by State

Thousands of people are involved in car accidents daily, from the Pacific Coast Highway to the busy city streets of Miami, New York, and Washington, D.C. Some car accidents are relatively minor, like a fender bender in a parking garage, while others are more severe.

Injuries and fatalities are the worst-case scenarios. At the very least, victims are left with property damage and bills that need to be paid. At worst, lives are lost or changed forever.

But which state has the most car accidents? We can review the statistics below, but it’s important to remain cautious at the wheel regardless of where you drive. 

If you’ve been in an accident, we’re here to help. We understand the difficulties that a car accident can cause, which is why we work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t have to worry about upfront costs when we’re advocating for the rights that protect you. You only pay if we win.

To get started, complete a free, no-risk case evaluation and learn more about your legal options.

Most Car Accidents by State

Americans had a one in 63 chance of getting into a car accident in 2020, and one out of every 136 accidents was fatal. Let’s explore the most car accidents by state and compare the number to the average cost for full insurance coverage.

State

Fatal Car Accidents

Average Cost for Full Insurance Coverage Per Year

Alabama

876

$1,809

Alaska

69

$2,323

Arizona

916

$1,696

Arkansas

472

$2,061

California

3,259

$2,462

Colorado

588

$2,489

Connecticut

276

$1,730

Delaware

104

$2,462

Florida

2,915

$4,326

Georgia

1,407

$2,181

Hawaii

110

$1,633

Idaho

212

$1,021

Illinois

948

$2,345

Indiana

774

$1,454

Iowa

291

$1,238

Kansas

366

$1,693

Kentucky

664

$1,979

Louisiana

716

$3,629

Maine

128

$1,216

Maryland

474

$3,349

Massachusetts

343

$2,333

Michigan

905

$2,995

Minnesota 

349

$2,360

Mississippi

597

$1,704

Missouri

848

$2,323

Montana

168

$1,770

Nebraska

201

$1,538

Nevada

300

$3,342

New Hampshire

134

$1,411

New Jersey

525

$2,240

New Mexico

350

$2,104

New York

889

$4,769

North Carolina

1,321

$1,307

North Dakota

95

$1,319

Ohio

996

$1,112

Oklahoma

603

$2,291

Oregon

450

$1,459

Pennsylvania

1,103

$3,600

Rhode Island

56

$2,715

South Carolina

970

$2,387

South Dakota

110

$1,821

Tennessee

974

$1,720

Texas

3,305

$2,938

Utah

237

$1,955

Vermont

60

$1,037

Virginia

778

$1,486

Washington

497

$1,829

West Virginia

265

$1,688

Wisconsin

530

$1,905

Wyoming

100

$1,341

Data Provided by IIHS.org & Forbes

In 2021, the most car accidents by state listed California as number one. However, fatal car accident statistics don’t necessarily correlate with average insurance coverage costs per state, as Maryland’s insurance rate is high despite a low number of fatal accidents. 

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

The most important thing following any accident is your health, well-being, and safety. Even if it’s a minor fender bender, make sure to move your vehicle to a safe location and perform a self-check for injuries.

Next, you’ll want to take photos and videos of the accident scene if you’re able. These will serve as evidence later on in the legal process, as will any eyewitness testimony police collect during the process. However, if you've been injured, this all changes. You should prioritize seeking medical attention above all, even if you suspect your injuries to only be minor.

After you’ve sought treatment, you’ll have a much better understanding of the total amount of damage you sustained. With both your medical record and repair expenses in hand, you’ll speak with your insurance company and file a claim. If their offer doesn’t reflect the rightful value, you can enlist the help of a personal injury attorney and advocate for fair and full compensation.

What Percentage of Car Accidents Involve Drunk Driving?

35% of fatal accidents involve someone driving under the influence, accounting for more than 13,000 fatalities in 2020. They occur most frequently between the hours of 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. and are most common in Montana, where 51% of fatalities were the result of impaired driving in some capacity. Alternatively, New Jersey was the safest state, and Mississippi has the lowest percentage of impaired driving fatal accidents.

The increased availability of ride-sharing applications has reduced drunk driving, but it hasn’t eliminated such irresponsible behavior entirely. Make sure to plan a ride if you expect to be drinking or use a resource available to you instead of getting behind the wheel.

What Type of Vehicle Gets Into the Most Accidents?

Car accidents can cause damage to motor vehicles, pedestrians, and property, leaving multiple parties with bodily or financial damages. Here’s a breakdown of fatal accidents by the type of vehicle involved.

• Passenger vehicles – 20,868
• Small Trucks – 20,566
• Motorcycles – 5,715
• Large Trucks – 4,842
• Buses – 156

Any accident, regardless of severity, can be life-changing under certain circumstances. Unexpected expenses, serious bodily harm, and contentious insurance companies and at-fault parties can complicate the process, leaving you without the resources you need to recover.

If you weren’t at fault, there’s no reason that you should shoulder the financial burden of the accident. At Morgan & Morgan, we’re here to help ensure you’re compensated swiftly and efficiently, with no upfront fee standing between you and the justice you deserve.

Which City Has the Most Non-Fatal Car Accidents?

Baltimore, Maryland, has the most car accidents in the United States and ranks fifth in states with above the national average of hard-breaking occurrences. Washington, D.C., and Boston, Massachusetts, rank second and third, while Worcester, Massachusetts, and Glendale, California, rank fourth and fifth.

From open parkways to city traffic, each road has its own unique set of hazards. It’s important to always keep a calm head while behind the wheel, limit distractions, and focus on what’s happening around us to reduce our risk of harm. Even so, there are times when an accident is inescapable. Insurance acts as a safety net in most cases, but there are other situations where their offers aren’t enough, or other circumstances require legal action.

If you find yourself in one of them, know that Morgan and Morgan has your back. Complete a free, no-risk case evaluation to get started.

What Age Group Gets Into the Most Car Accidents?

Everyone drives differently at different stages in their lives. Teens and young adults statistically drive faster, whereas more mature people will lay off the gas and take it a little slower. There are exceptions to both these assumptions, of course, but statistics show that a younger age group is most likely to get involved in accidents.

Drivers aged 24 to 35 are involved in more fatal accidents than other age groups, with 7,713 casualties and 490,004 total injuries in 2022. The 35 to 44 age group is the second most likely, while 55 to 64 comes in third.

Regardless of age, a car accident can happen quickly and leave victims on the side of the road with expensive property damage and painful injuries. These tragic events tend to happen when you least suspect them, which is why it’s important to always get behind the wheel in the right headspace. Avoid driving tired, silence notifications on your phone, and follow road signs whenever you have to travel from point A to point B.

What Is the Leading Cause of Car Accidents?

Human error is the leading cause of car accidents. Beyond that, driving under the influence is the number one cause of fatal accidents, and speeding comes in second.

• DUI
• Speeding
• Misuse of Seat Belts
• Distracted Driving
• Hit and Run
• Tired Driving

According to the NHTSA, the majority of drowsy driving accidents occur between midnight and 6 a.m. They usually involve a single driver, where the motorist runs off the road after falling asleep, but they can also affect other motorists if the drowsy driver crashes into another car. In either case, drowsy driving is a sneaky cause of car accidents and is something we should avoid at all costs.

Car Accidents by Type of Collision

A driver that’s lost control of their vehicle becomes a danger to all other motorists and pedestrians within the facility. They could regain control and right their vehicle, or they could spin out and cause damage to people and property. Let’s explore which type of motor vehicle accidents were most common in 2020.

Crash Type

Number of Fatalities

Collisions with other motor vehicles

8,200,000

Fixed objects

2,170,000

Animal or animal-drawn vehicle

530,000

Non-collision

190,000

Pedestrian

133,000

Data Provided by Injury Facts.

More than 11 million car accidents happened in 2022, and that’s despite the Covid-19 lockdowns restricting driving in most states. Car accident fatalities follow the same structure as above, with collisions between motor vehicles accounting for the most fatal accidents.

Contact Morgan and Morgan

A car accident can cause you harm that persists long after the date of the accident itself. Between physical damage, repair expenses, and overcoming emotional trauma, you’ll have a long road to recovery ahead of you. But don’t worry—the process can get much easier with the right personal injury lawyer by your side.

With $20 billion recovered, 1,000+ trial-ready attorneys, and an extensive track record of recovering full and fair value for our clients, Morgan and Morgan is specially equipped to fight for you as America’s largest personal injury firm. We combine a compassionate approach with successful processes developed over the course of three decades to build up cases the right way, positioning us for the very best possible results starting on day one of your case.

There might be thousands of law firms online, but there’s only one Morgan and Morgan. Complete our free, no-risk case evaluation to take the first step toward the compensation you deserve.